Vestas closed the UK's only wind turbine blade factories, on the Isle of Wight, in August 2009. Workers occupied the factory, then picketed. This blog is a history of that dispute and of the ongoing campaign for green jobs.

Workers’ Climate Action at Climate Camp

Workers’ Climate Action is playing a crucial role in the Vestas campaign. Activists from the group will be at Climate Camp from Wednesday, 26 August and all week. If you are at the camp on Sunday or Monday, you could attend a workshop organised by WCA, details below. To get in touch with WCA at Climate Camp ring or text Bob on 07843 945 005 or Robin on 07974 331 053.

1. Women and the miners’ strike
Sunday 30 August 10.30-11.30
This workshop aims to demonstrate that the ideas of workers in struggle can be transformed. With conscious solidarity, divisions in the working class can be overcome.

2. Climate change is a class issue – an introduction to Workers’ Climate Action
Sunday 30 August 14.30-16.00
A basic introduction to the ideas and activity of the WCA network.

3. Visteon, Lindsey, Lucas and workers-led just transition
Sunday 30 August 16.30-18.30
How do we relate to the most socially and environmentally damaging industries? Can workers take control and transform their workplaces? Speakers include a Visteon occupier.

4. Vestas – workers fight to save a wind turbine factory
Monday 31 August 16.30-18.30
An account of the workers’ factory occupation and campaign — fighting not just over jobs or pay, but over a technology we need to save the planet. Speakers include a Vestas occupier.

Categories

What we're fighting for

Vestas Blades UK made production workers at their factories on the Isle of Wight redundant on 12 August 2009. More than 500 jobs were lost. Many more jobs that depend on Vestas will follow. This makes no sense from a green or a labour perspective!

At the same time, the government announced a major expansion of renewable energy including wind power. We are calling on the government to intervene to save jobs at companies like Vestas - through nationalisation if that is what it takes - to show that it is serious about saving the planet.

Actions & meetings

Wednesday 17 February

NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT 7pm, Save Our Services public meeting, called by Unison, but open to all who want to campaign against the proposed cuts to council and all jobs and services. Venue: Hunnyhill Room, The Riverside Centre, The Quay, Newport, Isle of Wight.